Dear Margot,
Today I decided to recount on the big meter+ queen fish I caught in darwin, Australia last november. So this is how it goes.
I clearly remember seeing a small school of baitfish being assaulted by a few flashes of silver which were queenfish and tarpon. From the bow of the Guide’s boat, I casted my fly into the middle of the school of panicking baitfish and let it sink. Almost instantly, I had a humongous strong take. Instinctively, I yanked the fly line in my hand hard to set the hook. In less than a split second, the fly line on the deck seemed to levitate off the ground and fly through the line guides on the already bent rod like a bullet that had just been fired. Before I knew it, I was hanging on to the rod for dear life as the fish continued on its first mad dash. I watched the electric yellow backing melt off the spool like burning a small piece of paper. I somehow magically managed to turn the fish’s head and end its searing mad dash about 120 meters away from the boat. The fun began as I slowly but surely pumped the huge fish back to the boat. I knew he was tired and he knew I was tired too! I thought I had won when I saw the fish but he had the fright of his life and gave me a spectacular jumping and tail-walking display around the boat. He tried to dive but failed and after about 2 minutes of circling the boat, I managed to bring him to the boat side. I held my rod in my mouth and grabbed the fish’s lower jaw with my gloved hand so that Graeme who was the fishing guide could remove the fly which was neatly embedded in corner of its mouth. By the time we were about to release it, the poor fish was lying on its side so I faced it into the current so that water would flow over its gills and hopefully the fish would revive. After a few minutes, I let go of the fish and it swam away unhurt. The whole battle from the time the fish was hooked till it swam away from my hands, lasted about 45minutes.
and that is exactly what happened. Whatever it is, this is my version of the queenie and I will stick to it. It is now rather late so I'd better pack my bag and go to sleep. Good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Just one more trip?
Dear Margot,
Today was the big day. I always believe in the last cast so this time it was the last trip... of my march holidays. I woke up at like 6 to spike my hair and get changed and get ready to meet Albert and his collegue and Newton MRT station then we would proceed to Lower Pierce Reservoir which is one of my favourite haunts for a quick fishing session that is challenging yet extremely relaxing.
Everything went according to plan and everyone was slightly early at Newton MRT so we managed to arrive at the fishing grounds slightly early. We managed to begin fishing just after sunrise which is a good time to fish. I had no takes and was begining to get bored but kept my hopes up and dillegently kept casting. Out of the blue, my good friend Desmond also known as magminnow turned up. He started casting with his distinctive and unmistakeable casting stroke. His casting has improved alot and now it is very graceful. Well he was casting along the sides of the reservoir with a little fly he invented. Well, I walked over to greet him and he showed me some nice flies, some tactics to get fish and his casting technique. He caught 2 small peacocks, gave them to me to put in my fish tank and gave me the fly he had used to catch them. I myself hooked a few peacocks and missed a few takes on the fly he gave me. I tied on the fly carefully and began casting again. I missed a few takes. I think I am a bit rusty on setting hooks. It shows I should go fishing more often. This little fly is wonderful. I chucked it into a school of baby peacock bass and instantaly, they gave chase then the mother took the fly. Unfortunately, the threw the hook halfway through the fight. Too bad Mr Goh did not join me on this trip. He would have enjoyed himself greatly.
After fishing, Yu Hock who is a friend of Fred gave me a casting lesson. He taught me a great way to cast. It is where the rod is lead by the elbow then when the elbow is unable to lead anymore, the fore arm begins to lead and the wrist gives the last flick. Casting this way is not tiring and I am getting more distance and accuracy wich much less effort. I now just have to practice this technique and remember it. The most important thing to remember is that I must not force the cast and start the cast off slowly because I am supposed to accelerate throughout the casting stroke.
I seem to be getting happier and happier as the day progresses as my cousin Katrina is interested to learn to fish which means that if she learns to fish, I have another buddy to fish with which is extremely nice. Also, many of my buddies are not often free to go fishing so Since Katrina is still schooling, she will have the same holidays as I do which will help greatly in organising trips. I will stop writing here because I am now going to practice my casting.
Yours,
the boy who is still learning to fly cast
An Ren
Today was the big day. I always believe in the last cast so this time it was the last trip... of my march holidays. I woke up at like 6 to spike my hair and get changed and get ready to meet Albert and his collegue and Newton MRT station then we would proceed to Lower Pierce Reservoir which is one of my favourite haunts for a quick fishing session that is challenging yet extremely relaxing.
Everything went according to plan and everyone was slightly early at Newton MRT so we managed to arrive at the fishing grounds slightly early. We managed to begin fishing just after sunrise which is a good time to fish. I had no takes and was begining to get bored but kept my hopes up and dillegently kept casting. Out of the blue, my good friend Desmond also known as magminnow turned up. He started casting with his distinctive and unmistakeable casting stroke. His casting has improved alot and now it is very graceful. Well he was casting along the sides of the reservoir with a little fly he invented. Well, I walked over to greet him and he showed me some nice flies, some tactics to get fish and his casting technique. He caught 2 small peacocks, gave them to me to put in my fish tank and gave me the fly he had used to catch them. I myself hooked a few peacocks and missed a few takes on the fly he gave me. I tied on the fly carefully and began casting again. I missed a few takes. I think I am a bit rusty on setting hooks. It shows I should go fishing more often. This little fly is wonderful. I chucked it into a school of baby peacock bass and instantaly, they gave chase then the mother took the fly. Unfortunately, the threw the hook halfway through the fight. Too bad Mr Goh did not join me on this trip. He would have enjoyed himself greatly.
After fishing, Yu Hock who is a friend of Fred gave me a casting lesson. He taught me a great way to cast. It is where the rod is lead by the elbow then when the elbow is unable to lead anymore, the fore arm begins to lead and the wrist gives the last flick. Casting this way is not tiring and I am getting more distance and accuracy wich much less effort. I now just have to practice this technique and remember it. The most important thing to remember is that I must not force the cast and start the cast off slowly because I am supposed to accelerate throughout the casting stroke.
I seem to be getting happier and happier as the day progresses as my cousin Katrina is interested to learn to fish which means that if she learns to fish, I have another buddy to fish with which is extremely nice. Also, many of my buddies are not often free to go fishing so Since Katrina is still schooling, she will have the same holidays as I do which will help greatly in organising trips. I will stop writing here because I am now going to practice my casting.
Yours,
the boy who is still learning to fly cast
An Ren
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Up at 5am
Dear Margot,
It is not everyday that I have to wake up at 5 am absolutely jovial. I flipped out of bed faster than I had ever done in my entire life. The alarm clock rang loud and clear in the silence of the night in my room and like a flash, I lept out of bed like never before. I got changed, washed my face, grabbed my rod and fishing gear and headed out into the darkness.
Flagging a taxi was a piece of cake. There seemed to be billions of them driving around looking for a fare to earn a wee bit more money before returning the cab.
THe journey to the fishing ground was rather uneventful. The taxi driver was not chatty. He was very quiet and drove like the wind. Perhaps it was because there were few people on the road at such an early hour.
Mike and I rigged up our gear and I made the privilage or making the first cast of the trip. I started witha small popper fly. It seemed todraw no attention from the fish so i decided to change fly and use a baitfish imitation which had worked time and time again for me at many locations.
In the darkness (about 645), I barely was able to make out where the fish were and where it was safe to stand. I do not know how but I managed to see a large crusing saratoga. I dug out one of the two dhalberg divers which are large surface flies tied using feathers and deer hair. I estimated that the fish was about 60 feet away and I made one false cast and shot the line out and got the Dhalberg six feet in front of the fish. I popped the fly once and the creature exploded jumping as it savaged my fly. I saw the line being ripped from the surface and the line on the floor speed through the guides like a shotgun bullet. I held the fly line in my right hand to set the hool and the fish took to the air. The hook was firmly embedded in the fish's jaw and i watched in utter shock as the fly line rip from the water surface as the fish went on its first mad dash. The fight was exciting as it was a battle of wit and skill. I was more skilled than the fish and so managed to bring it to my feet where it struggled and tried to dislodge the obnoctious object inbetween its upper and lower jaw. A few jumps later, it came to my hand and i picked up the fish to have a good look at it. I think it must have been at least 70cm long. A humongous size for a gorgeous green arowana. Conincedentally, this arowana is the first that I landed on my 9weight and the first green arowana I have every caught. The hook came out very easily as arowanas have a boney mouth so it is extremely hard to set the hook in an arowana's mouth. It is estacitc to see the fly being engulfed by such a huge fish. To land it and be able to hold the fish to have a good look is such wonderful feeling that words cannot describe it.
Fishing to me is a way to unwind after a difficult term at school and I think I truly deserve this trip because I worked hard during term and produced some nice grades (much like my arowana). It is very late now and I have to sleep now or else I will be unable to wake up for church tomorrow. Good night.
Yours,
An Ren
It is not everyday that I have to wake up at 5 am absolutely jovial. I flipped out of bed faster than I had ever done in my entire life. The alarm clock rang loud and clear in the silence of the night in my room and like a flash, I lept out of bed like never before. I got changed, washed my face, grabbed my rod and fishing gear and headed out into the darkness.
Flagging a taxi was a piece of cake. There seemed to be billions of them driving around looking for a fare to earn a wee bit more money before returning the cab.
THe journey to the fishing ground was rather uneventful. The taxi driver was not chatty. He was very quiet and drove like the wind. Perhaps it was because there were few people on the road at such an early hour.
Mike and I rigged up our gear and I made the privilage or making the first cast of the trip. I started witha small popper fly. It seemed todraw no attention from the fish so i decided to change fly and use a baitfish imitation which had worked time and time again for me at many locations.
In the darkness (about 645), I barely was able to make out where the fish were and where it was safe to stand. I do not know how but I managed to see a large crusing saratoga. I dug out one of the two dhalberg divers which are large surface flies tied using feathers and deer hair. I estimated that the fish was about 60 feet away and I made one false cast and shot the line out and got the Dhalberg six feet in front of the fish. I popped the fly once and the creature exploded jumping as it savaged my fly. I saw the line being ripped from the surface and the line on the floor speed through the guides like a shotgun bullet. I held the fly line in my right hand to set the hool and the fish took to the air. The hook was firmly embedded in the fish's jaw and i watched in utter shock as the fly line rip from the water surface as the fish went on its first mad dash. The fight was exciting as it was a battle of wit and skill. I was more skilled than the fish and so managed to bring it to my feet where it struggled and tried to dislodge the obnoctious object inbetween its upper and lower jaw. A few jumps later, it came to my hand and i picked up the fish to have a good look at it. I think it must have been at least 70cm long. A humongous size for a gorgeous green arowana. Conincedentally, this arowana is the first that I landed on my 9weight and the first green arowana I have every caught. The hook came out very easily as arowanas have a boney mouth so it is extremely hard to set the hook in an arowana's mouth. It is estacitc to see the fly being engulfed by such a huge fish. To land it and be able to hold the fish to have a good look is such wonderful feeling that words cannot describe it.
Fishing to me is a way to unwind after a difficult term at school and I think I truly deserve this trip because I worked hard during term and produced some nice grades (much like my arowana). It is very late now and I have to sleep now or else I will be unable to wake up for church tomorrow. Good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Wishlist
Dear Margot,
Today was a very happy day. I am absolutely jovial because I was highly commended by Dr Barrett for getting good effort and achievement grades. I am prpud of myself for gettting the commendation. I want to get another 2 next term so Mum will buy me an arowana and a monsterous fish tank so it will have lots of space to swim about. I also had 2 tests back to back and they were ok. I hope I will get a distinction for both of them because I like the subjects very much (physics and economics).
At the moment, the thing that is on the top of my wishlist is good grades as that will elad to a new fish tank and new fish. THe next in line is probably a new casting reel since my calcutta which Kong gave to me in primary 3 is worn out after of catching many fish.
I am looking forward to fishing this saturday. I want to try out my new fly reel and the new leaders I tied the other day. They are something new i thought of which involves braiding 3 strands of the desired tippet strength and tapering it to 2 strands and finally 1 strand. They are supposed to be able to cast better and turn over large flies more efficiently. However, I do not know how true that is.
Since it is late, I shall go to sleep now.Good night.
Yours,
A very happy, excited and sleepy
An Ren
Today was a very happy day. I am absolutely jovial because I was highly commended by Dr Barrett for getting good effort and achievement grades. I am prpud of myself for gettting the commendation. I want to get another 2 next term so Mum will buy me an arowana and a monsterous fish tank so it will have lots of space to swim about. I also had 2 tests back to back and they were ok. I hope I will get a distinction for both of them because I like the subjects very much (physics and economics).
At the moment, the thing that is on the top of my wishlist is good grades as that will elad to a new fish tank and new fish. THe next in line is probably a new casting reel since my calcutta which Kong gave to me in primary 3 is worn out after of catching many fish.
I am looking forward to fishing this saturday. I want to try out my new fly reel and the new leaders I tied the other day. They are something new i thought of which involves braiding 3 strands of the desired tippet strength and tapering it to 2 strands and finally 1 strand. They are supposed to be able to cast better and turn over large flies more efficiently. However, I do not know how true that is.
Since it is late, I shall go to sleep now.Good night.
Yours,
A very happy, excited and sleepy
An Ren
Monday, March 07, 2005
Queenie and today
Dear Margot,
Today is the last monday of term 1. I had alot of fun in school and throughly enjoyed myself. It seems to be more relaxed now that tests are more or less over for the term. However, I have a chinese test and a physics test on thurday and wednesday respectively. Having tests is ok because I seem to be doing ok in them except for a few like additional math and chemistry.
Since today I have nothing else to blog about, I shall recount and blog about the biggest queenfish I caught in Darwin last november. Graeme who was the fishing guide for the first day of fishing in Dawin. He collected Kong and I from the hotel (Holiday Inn, Darwin) at about 830 in the morning and in less than 10 minutes after leaving the hotel, we were at teh boat launch ramp for Graeme to launch his boat. I was given the honours of holding the boat in position while Graeme went to park his 4 wheel drive.
We motored out of Darwin harbour which was pristine unlike harbours in Singapore. I could actually see the sea bed and where the launching ramp ended. After we got about 300 meters or so away from the boat launch ramp, Graeme began to rig up his own 9weight fly rod and I rigged up mine. He rigged up his rod for me to use just in case mine broke or a calamity happened to my gear. His rod which is an Innovator Matrix had a much slower and forgiving action than my Orvis which had an fast action for casters with shorter strokes.
Well, I started off with Graeme's rod because I had not warmed up yet and thought a slower rod would suit me better before I had warmed up. After a few casts, I saw this queenfish chasing the fly i had cast out. It grabbed my white clouser minnow which I had tied and went on a jumping spree much like a hooked wahoo. I wondered if it took more line in the air or if it was swimming. Unfortunately, My joy of hooking my first Queenfish on fly as soon dashed when it threw the hook after its jumping routine.
We motored to another area which was very rocky and the water was very clear and blue in colour. Again, I picked up Graeme's rod and made my cast which was about 80 feet. ON the retrieve, I saw this silver flash as quick as lightning charge up behind my fly and grab it. I felt the line tighten and instinctively, I yanked hard on the fly line and lifted the rod to set the hook. again this fish unpredictably jumped all over the place. Fly line on the boat deck sped out through my hand as the fish tried to make a run but did not seem to be trying very hard and seemed to like jumping. Finally it got its act together and went on a rampage which bent the rod to the butt and took some backing. I wrestled with the fish and after about 5 minutes, it came to the boatside and still found energy to jump. This tarpon changed my impression of tarpons because the ones I had caught were all very easy to land but this one was not. Finally it was netted and weighed 3kilograms acording to Graeme's lip grip. Coincedentaly, it was the biggest tarpon I had ever caught. I was all smiles as I posed for a picture with the beautiful fish.
I still had not got my queen fish and wanted to test my new rod which is the Orvis so I picked it up and made my cast. It shot line like a rocket and even though it was hard to achieve maximum loading of the rod, it still fired off a 90 foot cast excluding the leader. This time, I did not see any flash but the line tightened after a few strips of line. Knowing it was something big, I set the hook and the fish took off on a long run. I desperately increased the drag on my reel in an attempt to slow the fish down. Backing spewed from the spool as the fish ran. Finally its initial dash slowed and I pumped the fish towards the boat. When I though I was winning, the fish freaked out and tail walked and jumped around wildly. Its soon fell back into the blue depths and made another run. Thankfully, it was shorter and I did not have to worry about my reel being stripped. The battle soon began to be a see saw with the fish coming into view a few times. I was tired and so was the fish. I thought it was another tarpon but when it came to the boat some 45 minutes after being hooked, I was jovial to find that it was a queenfish. and a giagantic one too. It was more than a meter long and it sparkled in the water as i held it as Graeme was removing the hook. I wanted a photo with it but it was exhausted from the battle and I wanted it to live so we faced it in the current to revive it and soon, its colours came back and it swam away. I was happy to see the majestic creature swim away after I let go of its mouth. It seemed to be at peace. Neither similes nor words could not describe the joy I felt as I watched it swim away.
That is the story of my first and biggest queen fish I have caught on a fly rod to date. I will always remember that fish and hope it is still alive for me to catch another day. Good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Today is the last monday of term 1. I had alot of fun in school and throughly enjoyed myself. It seems to be more relaxed now that tests are more or less over for the term. However, I have a chinese test and a physics test on thurday and wednesday respectively. Having tests is ok because I seem to be doing ok in them except for a few like additional math and chemistry.
Since today I have nothing else to blog about, I shall recount and blog about the biggest queenfish I caught in Darwin last november. Graeme who was the fishing guide for the first day of fishing in Dawin. He collected Kong and I from the hotel (Holiday Inn, Darwin) at about 830 in the morning and in less than 10 minutes after leaving the hotel, we were at teh boat launch ramp for Graeme to launch his boat. I was given the honours of holding the boat in position while Graeme went to park his 4 wheel drive.
We motored out of Darwin harbour which was pristine unlike harbours in Singapore. I could actually see the sea bed and where the launching ramp ended. After we got about 300 meters or so away from the boat launch ramp, Graeme began to rig up his own 9weight fly rod and I rigged up mine. He rigged up his rod for me to use just in case mine broke or a calamity happened to my gear. His rod which is an Innovator Matrix had a much slower and forgiving action than my Orvis which had an fast action for casters with shorter strokes.
Well, I started off with Graeme's rod because I had not warmed up yet and thought a slower rod would suit me better before I had warmed up. After a few casts, I saw this queenfish chasing the fly i had cast out. It grabbed my white clouser minnow which I had tied and went on a jumping spree much like a hooked wahoo. I wondered if it took more line in the air or if it was swimming. Unfortunately, My joy of hooking my first Queenfish on fly as soon dashed when it threw the hook after its jumping routine.
We motored to another area which was very rocky and the water was very clear and blue in colour. Again, I picked up Graeme's rod and made my cast which was about 80 feet. ON the retrieve, I saw this silver flash as quick as lightning charge up behind my fly and grab it. I felt the line tighten and instinctively, I yanked hard on the fly line and lifted the rod to set the hook. again this fish unpredictably jumped all over the place. Fly line on the boat deck sped out through my hand as the fish tried to make a run but did not seem to be trying very hard and seemed to like jumping. Finally it got its act together and went on a rampage which bent the rod to the butt and took some backing. I wrestled with the fish and after about 5 minutes, it came to the boatside and still found energy to jump. This tarpon changed my impression of tarpons because the ones I had caught were all very easy to land but this one was not. Finally it was netted and weighed 3kilograms acording to Graeme's lip grip. Coincedentaly, it was the biggest tarpon I had ever caught. I was all smiles as I posed for a picture with the beautiful fish.
I still had not got my queen fish and wanted to test my new rod which is the Orvis so I picked it up and made my cast. It shot line like a rocket and even though it was hard to achieve maximum loading of the rod, it still fired off a 90 foot cast excluding the leader. This time, I did not see any flash but the line tightened after a few strips of line. Knowing it was something big, I set the hook and the fish took off on a long run. I desperately increased the drag on my reel in an attempt to slow the fish down. Backing spewed from the spool as the fish ran. Finally its initial dash slowed and I pumped the fish towards the boat. When I though I was winning, the fish freaked out and tail walked and jumped around wildly. Its soon fell back into the blue depths and made another run. Thankfully, it was shorter and I did not have to worry about my reel being stripped. The battle soon began to be a see saw with the fish coming into view a few times. I was tired and so was the fish. I thought it was another tarpon but when it came to the boat some 45 minutes after being hooked, I was jovial to find that it was a queenfish. and a giagantic one too. It was more than a meter long and it sparkled in the water as i held it as Graeme was removing the hook. I wanted a photo with it but it was exhausted from the battle and I wanted it to live so we faced it in the current to revive it and soon, its colours came back and it swam away. I was happy to see the majestic creature swim away after I let go of its mouth. It seemed to be at peace. Neither similes nor words could not describe the joy I felt as I watched it swim away.
That is the story of my first and biggest queen fish I have caught on a fly rod to date. I will always remember that fish and hope it is still alive for me to catch another day. Good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Sunday, March 06, 2005
burned out sunday
Dear Margot,
Today being a Sunday, I went sailing after church and a bite to eat at home. It rained on the way to the club which is quite unusual because when I go to the club, it is normally bright and sunny. I arrived at the club for the monthly in-house race which is basically a monthly race which is free and trophies are given out.
The wind seemed to be light when i launched my boat but I my hopes of a day of medium wind were dashed when the waves started getting a lot bigger and the wind picked up at a very rapid pace. Before I knew it, the boat started surfing waves. The wind finally peaked at about 15knots according to Uncle Tony.
I honestly think i sailed 4 out of 4 races very badly. I capsized at the start of the first race due to a stupid mistake and another time halfway up the beat which was such an awful way to start the race. Well, I guess I was still tired from sailing yesterday and my muscles ached alot. I think it is because I am not as fit as I was last month and I had a trying day sailing yesterday.
The positions I scored are so bad, I would rather not remember them. I will just remember that the conditions were totally against me with really big waves and strong wind. Surprisingly I finished 5th overall which is an achievement for me because I somehow pulled it off without knowing it. Also another good thing was that I capsized 3 times as opposed to the 5 capsizes I did yesterday which I am quite happy about. Reflecting on the day sailing, I think I have high expectations of myself and that to pull off a 5th in overpowering conditions is indeed an extraordinary feat which I have never done before. I actually beat a few sailors who have better national ranking positions than I do. This is the only thing that happened today that I am proud of.
Well, thats about all that happened today but I am quite pleased with myself for betting my new fly reel spooled with backing. I bought 300 yards of 30lbs tuf line xp and the vacking and fly line fits into the reel like hand to glove. How nice. Myabe this holiday I will go catch milkfish as it is really fun watching backing disappear after a huge or fast fish takes the fly. Well, I'd better go do my tuition homework now since I have to hand it in tomorrow. Good night.
Today being a Sunday, I went sailing after church and a bite to eat at home. It rained on the way to the club which is quite unusual because when I go to the club, it is normally bright and sunny. I arrived at the club for the monthly in-house race which is basically a monthly race which is free and trophies are given out.
The wind seemed to be light when i launched my boat but I my hopes of a day of medium wind were dashed when the waves started getting a lot bigger and the wind picked up at a very rapid pace. Before I knew it, the boat started surfing waves. The wind finally peaked at about 15knots according to Uncle Tony.
I honestly think i sailed 4 out of 4 races very badly. I capsized at the start of the first race due to a stupid mistake and another time halfway up the beat which was such an awful way to start the race. Well, I guess I was still tired from sailing yesterday and my muscles ached alot. I think it is because I am not as fit as I was last month and I had a trying day sailing yesterday.
The positions I scored are so bad, I would rather not remember them. I will just remember that the conditions were totally against me with really big waves and strong wind. Surprisingly I finished 5th overall which is an achievement for me because I somehow pulled it off without knowing it. Also another good thing was that I capsized 3 times as opposed to the 5 capsizes I did yesterday which I am quite happy about. Reflecting on the day sailing, I think I have high expectations of myself and that to pull off a 5th in overpowering conditions is indeed an extraordinary feat which I have never done before. I actually beat a few sailors who have better national ranking positions than I do. This is the only thing that happened today that I am proud of.
Well, thats about all that happened today but I am quite pleased with myself for betting my new fly reel spooled with backing. I bought 300 yards of 30lbs tuf line xp and the vacking and fly line fits into the reel like hand to glove. How nice. Myabe this holiday I will go catch milkfish as it is really fun watching backing disappear after a huge or fast fish takes the fly. Well, I'd better go do my tuition homework now since I have to hand it in tomorrow. Good night.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
WiNdY SaTuRdAy
Dear Margot,
Today I went sailing. It is the first time in 3 weeks that I have the chance to sail. Without hesitation, I packed all my gear and before I knew it, Dad, Mum and I were in the East Coast Parkway heading towards the NSRCC which is where my boat is stored. We stopped for lunch at a char kway tiow stall somewhere near Marine Parade. I enjoyed the meal even though it was a little too oily.
I arrived at the club and too my horror, I was the first person to arrive there. That did not damped my excitement of getting on the water again. I plesantly surprised to see my good friend, Hamim who repairs my boat when i chip it or damage it. We had a good chat and he helped me get my boat off the shelf and onto my trolley.
It was an hour or so before all the other squad members turned up and today turned out to be Uncle Tony's birthday. All of the people in the squad signed the card and I noticed everyone thanked him for coaching each of us. I am personally grateful to him for teaching me many things about byte sailing. I am also very grateful to a coach who used to coach me, Andrew Tam. He was a wonderful coach and did not scream at us but pushed us very hard. I improved tremendously under his guidance. He taught me to sail the byte and helped me refine my topper sailing. The topper was the boat I sailed from sec 1 to sec 2. It was an easy boat to sail but extremely lousy because the hulls i sailed leaked and the hiking straps were too short and could not be adjusted. Well, topper sailing is over for me and I am glad it is because I enjoy sailing bytes trememdously. They give me alot of excitement on the off wind legs and are easier to keep flat on the up wind beating legs of the race than the Laser.
The time to launch came and we all launched our boats. Today, the fleet consisted of bytes, standard lasers and laser radials. The wind was quite light when we launched, around 5knots and gradually increased to 8 or 9 knots by the time we started the race. I had to hike out flat almost all the time of the first race because the wind was slowly but surely picking up. I did not have a wonderful start but stayed on the left side of the course. I played the shifts and on a drastic shift, I tacked and made my way to the other side of the course to find I was first. The race finished at the windward mark and I finished first with a lead of about 8 boat lengths. The wind by the end of the race was blowing hard at about 10 knots.
The second race, I did not have as lucky a start as I did in the first race and many people were sporting my tactic of hanging around the left side of the course. Well, I sailed tried my best to keep the boat flat in the gusty 12knot breeze. My effort paid off with a finish in second place with a small lead.
The third race went well for the up wind leg despite the wind still howling at more than 12knots. I lost out at the gybe mark when I capsized and took a while to upright my boat. Many people passed me there because the fleet was not spread out as it was in the second race. I managed to catch up on the second and last reaching leg, the beat and down wind leg. My efforts were not in vain and I finished 4th.
The last race went extremely badly. I capsized at the start and was last. To make matters worse, the wind was very strong and there were white caps everywhere. I capsized another time in the middle of nowhere later on in the race during the up wind leg. I was exhausted and could hardly hike at all. Fortunately, everyone else seemed tired except Elliot who was happily hiking and keeping his boat flat like a table top. I sailed as fast as i could which was actually very slow as my boat was heeling a little and I was too tired to work the waves so my bow slammed on a few waves, stalling the boat for a split second.
Fourtunately, I went back to shore after the 4th race because I was too tired to sail more and some others followed me. I was so tired, I needed help to pull my boat up the ramp. I would rate my sailing today as good because I had not sailed for a long time and am not so fit as i was 3 weeks ago and I sailed as well I could. Now is late and I have the in-house race and chuch tomorrow so good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Today I went sailing. It is the first time in 3 weeks that I have the chance to sail. Without hesitation, I packed all my gear and before I knew it, Dad, Mum and I were in the East Coast Parkway heading towards the NSRCC which is where my boat is stored. We stopped for lunch at a char kway tiow stall somewhere near Marine Parade. I enjoyed the meal even though it was a little too oily.
I arrived at the club and too my horror, I was the first person to arrive there. That did not damped my excitement of getting on the water again. I plesantly surprised to see my good friend, Hamim who repairs my boat when i chip it or damage it. We had a good chat and he helped me get my boat off the shelf and onto my trolley.
It was an hour or so before all the other squad members turned up and today turned out to be Uncle Tony's birthday. All of the people in the squad signed the card and I noticed everyone thanked him for coaching each of us. I am personally grateful to him for teaching me many things about byte sailing. I am also very grateful to a coach who used to coach me, Andrew Tam. He was a wonderful coach and did not scream at us but pushed us very hard. I improved tremendously under his guidance. He taught me to sail the byte and helped me refine my topper sailing. The topper was the boat I sailed from sec 1 to sec 2. It was an easy boat to sail but extremely lousy because the hulls i sailed leaked and the hiking straps were too short and could not be adjusted. Well, topper sailing is over for me and I am glad it is because I enjoy sailing bytes trememdously. They give me alot of excitement on the off wind legs and are easier to keep flat on the up wind beating legs of the race than the Laser.
The time to launch came and we all launched our boats. Today, the fleet consisted of bytes, standard lasers and laser radials. The wind was quite light when we launched, around 5knots and gradually increased to 8 or 9 knots by the time we started the race. I had to hike out flat almost all the time of the first race because the wind was slowly but surely picking up. I did not have a wonderful start but stayed on the left side of the course. I played the shifts and on a drastic shift, I tacked and made my way to the other side of the course to find I was first. The race finished at the windward mark and I finished first with a lead of about 8 boat lengths. The wind by the end of the race was blowing hard at about 10 knots.
The second race, I did not have as lucky a start as I did in the first race and many people were sporting my tactic of hanging around the left side of the course. Well, I sailed tried my best to keep the boat flat in the gusty 12knot breeze. My effort paid off with a finish in second place with a small lead.
The third race went well for the up wind leg despite the wind still howling at more than 12knots. I lost out at the gybe mark when I capsized and took a while to upright my boat. Many people passed me there because the fleet was not spread out as it was in the second race. I managed to catch up on the second and last reaching leg, the beat and down wind leg. My efforts were not in vain and I finished 4th.
The last race went extremely badly. I capsized at the start and was last. To make matters worse, the wind was very strong and there were white caps everywhere. I capsized another time in the middle of nowhere later on in the race during the up wind leg. I was exhausted and could hardly hike at all. Fortunately, everyone else seemed tired except Elliot who was happily hiking and keeping his boat flat like a table top. I sailed as fast as i could which was actually very slow as my boat was heeling a little and I was too tired to work the waves so my bow slammed on a few waves, stalling the boat for a split second.
Fourtunately, I went back to shore after the 4th race because I was too tired to sail more and some others followed me. I was so tired, I needed help to pull my boat up the ramp. I would rate my sailing today as good because I had not sailed for a long time and am not so fit as i was 3 weeks ago and I sailed as well I could. Now is late and I have the in-house race and chuch tomorrow so good night.
Yours,
An Ren
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
New reel!
Dear Margot,
the title of this entry says it all. I have got a new fly reel. I actually got this reel on saturday before worship practice. It is a Ross Canyon Big Game 4 which is the smallest one in the BG series.
I chose this reel over other brands in the fishing industry like Abel, Tibor, Orvis, Cabela, Scientific Anglers and Sage justs to name a few. This reel has a sealed and maintance free drag system which Scientific Anglers has in their large arbor series, the backing capacity to weight to price ratio is the best for the ross.
The Ross has not many moving parts so it is very difficult to burn or mess up this reel. Lastly, the reel has a lifetime warranty and I heard the service is absolutely phenominal. They return the reel within 5 working days! That is absolutely wonderful. It is somehting that all other brands do not offer.
The first reason I chose the Ross is its drag system which does not allow sand and dirt into the reel which is practically impossible to accomplish with a system that is not sealed. The drag on the reel is also very smooth and able to apply alot of pressure on a fish. A powerful yet strong drag is a great asset while fly fishing especially in saltwater.
The second reason I chose this reel is because it is a large arbor reel and its retrieve is much faster than a standard arbor which is a great advantage since I do alot of saltwater fly fishing and saltwater fish strip loads and loads of backing in the time taken for you to blink!
The third reason is that its finishing is a beautiful, deep and rich champane gold. This reel probably has the best finishing and corrosion resistance. Actually, the finishing of ross is beautiful and is only outdone by the finishing of the Orvis Vortex. Still, both reels are beautiful and the Ross is cheaper and that why I bought it, mind you, I already have a Vortex in black which is a lovely reel. However, the Vortex is a totally different story and I shall not write more about it here.
Now the only thing left is to spool in backing into the reel and go fishing! Which is something I will do very soon. I have to sleep now so goodnight.
Yours,
An Ren
the title of this entry says it all. I have got a new fly reel. I actually got this reel on saturday before worship practice. It is a Ross Canyon Big Game 4 which is the smallest one in the BG series.
I chose this reel over other brands in the fishing industry like Abel, Tibor, Orvis, Cabela, Scientific Anglers and Sage justs to name a few. This reel has a sealed and maintance free drag system which Scientific Anglers has in their large arbor series, the backing capacity to weight to price ratio is the best for the ross.
The Ross has not many moving parts so it is very difficult to burn or mess up this reel. Lastly, the reel has a lifetime warranty and I heard the service is absolutely phenominal. They return the reel within 5 working days! That is absolutely wonderful. It is somehting that all other brands do not offer.
The first reason I chose the Ross is its drag system which does not allow sand and dirt into the reel which is practically impossible to accomplish with a system that is not sealed. The drag on the reel is also very smooth and able to apply alot of pressure on a fish. A powerful yet strong drag is a great asset while fly fishing especially in saltwater.
The second reason I chose this reel is because it is a large arbor reel and its retrieve is much faster than a standard arbor which is a great advantage since I do alot of saltwater fly fishing and saltwater fish strip loads and loads of backing in the time taken for you to blink!
The third reason is that its finishing is a beautiful, deep and rich champane gold. This reel probably has the best finishing and corrosion resistance. Actually, the finishing of ross is beautiful and is only outdone by the finishing of the Orvis Vortex. Still, both reels are beautiful and the Ross is cheaper and that why I bought it, mind you, I already have a Vortex in black which is a lovely reel. However, the Vortex is a totally different story and I shall not write more about it here.
Now the only thing left is to spool in backing into the reel and go fishing! Which is something I will do very soon. I have to sleep now so goodnight.
Yours,
An Ren
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